Movable image recording device and vehicle provided with such device

ABSTRACT

Image recording device provided with a fixed part for at least partial inclusion in and/or on the body of a motor vehicle, and a movable part which contains at least one optical element, the optical element comprising at least one optical sensor and/or a lens unit, and an adjustment device provided with a power source, for adjusting the movable part between a first position and a second position, wherein during use in the first position the movable part is wholly or partly included in the body, and in the second position the movable part extends at an angle with respect to the body, such that at least the optical element carried by the movable part extends at least partly outside the body, wherein the movable part pivots from the second position about a, preferably substantially vertical, axis to the first position and vice versa.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a 35 USC § 371 National Stage application ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/NL2016/050640, which was filedSep. 16, 2016, and Netherlands Patent Application No. 2015468, which wasfiled Sep. 18, 2015, and are incorporated herein by reference as iffully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a camera house placed at a side of a motorvehicle.

BACKGROUND

DE102011102773A1 discloses a camera included in a housing which in astorage position can be included in a body part of the car and in a useposition can be pivoted out of it, so that the camera can record animage rearward. The lens or window of the camera in the use position issituated directly beside the outer surface of the body part. Further,this device should have a movable house having a shape that in the useposition aligns against the inner side of the body part. This makes thefreedom of design and the pivotability of the housing limited andmoreover entails insufficient closure against soiling, also within thebody part.

Such a device has the disadvantage that the camera can record only alimited image due to the body. Conversely, the camera cannot pivotfurther out of the body because this jeopardizes the safety of, forexample, fellow road users. Further, this device has the disadvantagethat it soils rapidly, in particular an optical element, such as thelens, thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,200 discloses a passenger car having on oppositesides of the nose of the car, above the wheel houses thereof, in eachcase at least one camera in a camera housing. The housing is carried ina carrying bracket on a telescoping shaft or a linkage construction, sothat the carrying bracket with the camera housing and the cameraarranged therein can be moved between a first position in which theseare situated within the body of the car and a second position in whichthe bracket with the camera housing have been brought outside the body.A lid hinged to the body can close off the cavity in which the camerahousing and carrying bracket are stored in the first position. The lidis opened and closed by its own motor drive.

This construction has as a disadvantage, for one thing, that the camerahouse is particularly vulnerable in the second position, for instance ifthe vehicle inadvertently moves closely past an obstacle and the camerahouse is hit by the obstacle in the driving direction. In addition, thelid here needs to be kept in the opened position, which renders theconstruction still more vulnerable. Further, in the second position thisdevice is only aerodynamic to a particularly low degree and this willlead to a relatively great deal of additional noise and soiling, inparticular also of the cavity in which the camera housing can be stored.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to counteract the above-mentioneddisadvantages at least partly and/or to present an alternative for sucha device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for replacingand/or supplementing a wing mirror of a vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for providingvision in the direction of a lateral side and/or rear side of a vehicle,from a driver's position in the vehicle, with the aid of a camera orlike, preferably electronic, optical device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for building-in inand/or on a body part which is part of a lateral side of a vehicle,which device comprises at least a camera or like, preferably electronic,optical device which with the aid of the device is movable between a useposition and a storage position.

In an aspect, the invention provides an image recording device providedwith a fixed part for at least partial inclusion in and/or to the bodyof a motor vehicle, and a movable part which contains at least oneoptical element. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part.The optical element comprises at least one optical sensor and/or a lensunit. An adjustment device provided with a power source is provided foradjusting the movable part between a first position and a secondposition. During use, in the first position the movable part is mainlyincluded in and/or against the body, and in the second position themovable part extends at an angle with respect to the body, such that atleast the optical element carried by the movable part extends at leastpartly outside the body. The movable part pivots from the secondposition about a, preferably substantially vertical, axis to the firstposition and vice versa.

In an aspect, the invention provides an image recording device thatmakes a fold-in, a fold-out and a fold-over possible.

In an aspect, the invention provides an image recording device where amechanical cleaning device is provided, in particular a wiping devicefor cleaning of a surface of an optical element, such as, for example, alens surface and/or a window for such an optical element. In anadvantageous embodiment, the cleaning device is driven by the same powersource, in particular the same motor, as the movable part.

In an aspect, the invention is characterized by a vehicle, provided withat least one image recording device included in a body part of thevehicle, in particular in a lateral side of the vehicle. Due toelectronic images being recorded, the position of the or each recordingdevice can be chosen optimally, without it needing to be directlyvisible from a driver's position in the vehicle. The images can besimply displayed in the vehicle on a display.

It is incidentally noted that instead, or additionally, a differentregistering means may be included in the movable part, such as, forexample, a radar, ultrasonic device, or lidar.

Further advantageous embodiments are set forth in the subclaims.

It is incidentally noted that it is known to use cameras on the rearside of cars, for instance to make reversing safer, to be able toobserve the rear side of the car from the car, or, for instance, to beable to monitor a trailer hitched to the car. Examples of such camerasare given, for example, in EP2076408 and US2011266375.

EP2076408 discloses a vehicle where a camera, as a park help, is placedbehind a part of the body that can be swung clear. This camera house isactivated by a switch coupled to the reverse gear of the car, so thatthe camera comes out only when the car is going to back up. An importantdisadvantage is that when the camera house is activated, with themovable part extending outside the body, the second, fixed part isexposed to the outside air, so that moisture, sand and otherirregularities have free access to the interior of the camera house,which is unwanted. In the case of a backing camera, this is of littleinfluence because it is exposed to the outside air only to a limitedextent and moreover at very low speeds. Moreover, the camera is directeddownward and is protected for the most part by the part of the bodyformed by a guard.

US2011266375 discloses a backing camera again, with a lens unit providedwith a cleaning device consisting of a nozzle for pressurizedapplication of a cleaning fluid. Thus, the lens can for instance be madeice-free or be cleared of dirt. A disadvantage of such cleaning units isthat the cleaning fluids to be used are relatively costly, and alwaysavailable only in a finite supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodimentswhich are represented in figures. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows in top plan view a vehicle provided with devices accordingto this disclosure;

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically show in top plan view and side view,respectively, a device according to the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a perspective view of bodywork with image recordingdevice in a first position and a second position;

FIG. 2C schematically shows a view according to FIG. 2A, of analternative embodiment, with a window;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of an image recording device in thefirst position;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of an image recording device in thesecond position;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of an image recording device afterpartial fold-in;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the non-decoupled driving rack withdraw spring;

FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of the camera house after partialfold-over with decoupled driving rack;

FIG. 4D shows an embodiment of the pivoting mechanism, including a slipcoupling;

FIG. 4E schematically shows a part of the device with clamping means forretaining a driving element;

FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of an image recording device providedwith the cleaning device;

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the cleaning device;

FIG. 5C shows a top plan view of the cleaning device;

FIGS. 6A-6D show an embodiment of the wiping device with positionsensor;

FIG. 7 shows a DC motor provided with a worm at both shaft ends;

FIGS. 8A-8C show an embodiment where the image recording device in astorage position is included only partly in a body part;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which a lens opening is provided that isclosed off by a transparent surface, with a cleaning device; and

FIGS. 10A-10C schematically show a further, alternative embodiment of adevice according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In this description, like or corresponding parts have like orcorresponding reference numerals. The invention is elucidated on thebasis of the examples hereinafter described and shown, but is notlimited thereto. For instance, in the figures, a passenger car is usedas an example of a vehicle. However, other vehicles according to theinvention may also be provided, such as, for example, trucks, motorcycles and motor scooters, rail vehicles, work vehicles and the like.The drawings in this disclosure are schematic representations ofpossible embodiments and, unless expressly stated otherwise, are notnecessarily represented to scale.

In this description, front side, rear side, bottom side and top side andlateral side of a vehicle are to be understood in relation to a normaldriving position of the vehicle. By the same token, forward, andrearward, sideward and up or down are to be understood as related to thenormal driving position of a vehicle.

In this description, indications such as ‘substantially’ and likeindications are to be understood as indicating that a quantity orposition being referred to may be deviated from to some extent, forexample, by at least 25%, more particularly at least 15%, as for exampleat least 10%, without falling outside the definition.

FIG. 1 schematically shows in top plan view a vehicle 1. Represented inthis example is a passenger car, in particular a station wagon. In FIG.1 the car 1 is shown from the top side 2, with the front side 3 facingleftwards, the rear side 4 facing rightwards. Left and right lateralsides are indicated by reference numeral 5, where necessary 5left or5right. The bottom side is indicated by reference numeral 6. In FIG. 1there are shown a hood 7 with on opposite sides a front fender 8, doors9A and side panels 9B and a hatchback 10. The roof 11 is connected inthe usual manner with the further bodywork such as the above-mentionedhood, fenders, side panels and the like via respective A, B, C and Dposts. Clearly, vehicles may also have fewer or different posts and bodyparts. In this description, for simplicity, the different body partssuch as 7, 8, 9A, B, 10, 11 will also be individually and/or jointlydesignated as body part Q.

In FIG. 1, by way of illustration, on opposite sides of the car, thatis, on the opposite lateral sides 5, an image recording device 12according to the invention has been included, in a use position.Clearly, such a device may also be provided only on one lateral side, ora plurality of such devices 12 may be provided. In FIG. 1 the devices 12are placed at the location of, at least, in, the front fenders 8 or sidepanels 9A. However, they may also be positioned otherwise, for examplein a door 9B or in one of the posts A-D. In the example shown, thedevices 12 have an angle of view α, a horizontal angle of vision β andvertical angle of vision δ which face toward the rear side 4. In thisdescription, angle of view α is to be understood to mean the angleincluded between the vertical median longitudinal plane V of the car,extending vertically from front to back, centrally through the car, andthe central optical axis O_(axis) of an image recording sensor 13 in thedevice 12 and/or of a lens or lens system 14 thereof, as will be furtherelucidated hereinafter. Angle of vision β and δ should be understood tomean the angle included by the boundaries of the image plane of thesensor 13 and/or of the lens or lens system 14 thereof. In FIGS. 1A andB the angles α, β and δ are drawn in. The angle of view and the anglesof vision may be fixed by the sensor and/or the lens or lens system, ormay be mechanically and/or electronically adjustable, as will beelucidated hereinafter. In embodiments, the view and vision angles of atleast one device may also be directed differently, for example, towardsthe front side 3, sidewardly and/or up or down. In embodiments, thedevice may be implemented such that in different positions thereof theangle of view and/or angle of vision are directed differently.

In this description, an image recording device 12 is described, for usein a vehicle 1. In embodiments, such a device 12 comprises a housingwhich can be included in a body part of the vehicle 1, while in or onthe housing at least a carrier is provided for carrying a camera houseand/or a camera and/or an optical sensor and/or a lens or lens systemfor use with such a camera or optical sensor. Lens or lens system isherein understood to also encompass a prism or mirror for transmittinglight to a camera or optical sensor. In this description, sensor, cameraand/or lens or lens system may also be referred to as optical elements.

In this description the carrier will be designated as part of a movablepart of the device, the housing as part of a fixed part of the device.Fixed part should herein at least be understood to mean a part that isconnected to the body and in normal use is stationary relative to thebody. Movable part should herein be understood to mean a part of thedevice that can move, in particular pivot, relative to the fixed part. Amovement mechanism, such as a pivoting mechanism, is provided for movingthe movable part relative to the fixed part. Pivoting is possible arounda real axis and/or around a virtual axis. With the aid of the carrier, arelevant optical element can be moved between a first position in whichit is at least substantially enclosed within the housing and/or a bodypart in which the housing is placed, and a second position in which itextends at least partly outside the housing and/or the respective bodypart, in order to present a desired view angle and vision angles. In thefirst position, preferably, an outwardly facing part of the housingand/or the carrier is formed by or provided with a housing part that issubstantially flush with a surrounding part of the body part in whichthe housing is included. Alternatively, a portion thereof may extendoutside an outer surface of the respective body part, but less so thanin the second position. In embodiments, still further positions may beprovided, for instance for providing different view and/or visionangles.

In embodiments, the carrier can be pivoted between the first and secondposition, preferably driven by a motor and/or a driving mechanism, inparticular a pivoting mechanism. In embodiments, the carrier can bepivoted, viewed from the first position, beyond the second position, forinstance by exertion of a pressure force on the carrier or a structuralmember or optical element carried thereon, such as, for example, a blowupon a collision. This means the device will then yield and therebyappreciably reduce the forces occurring upon the blow. With this, adevice 12 is obtained that can take up a fold-in, fold-out and fold-overposition, whereby in the fold-in position the whole device issubstantially and preferably wholly included in a body part of thevehicle, or at least abuts against the body such that the carrierextends considerably less in sideward direction, in the fold-outposition desired view and vision angles are presented, and in thefold-over position the security of the device is enhanced. Additionallyand/or alternatively, the housing may be so included in and/or on thebody part that the whole housing or a relevant part thereof can bepressed further into the body part, preferably resiliently, when on apart of the device 12 projecting outside the body part a pressure forceis exerted, for instance by a blow in a crash. The housing and hence thedevice 12 can thereby be brought into a position at least partlycomparable to the fold-over position as described earlier. Preferably,the carrier is biased under spring tension, so that it is forced backfrom the fold-over position to at least the second position.

A device according to the invention may, in embodiments, be providedwith a cleaning device for cleaning of an optical element, in particularfor cleaning of a surface thereof that faces outside the body and/or thehousing. In embodiments, a cleaning device may be provided for cleaningof a surface of a vision transmissive part of the housing, a lens orlens system. In particularly advantageous embodiments, a drive isprovided for drive of a carrier for a camera house and/or opticalelement as described between at least the first and the second position,which drive is moreover configured for drive of the cleaning device. Thedrive can comprise an electric motor. The drive may be so configuredthat a motor between the first and the second position drives thecarrier and, with the carrier in the second position, drives thecleaning device without thereby further driving the carrier. To thatend, for example, a slip coupling may be provided, between the drive forthe carrier and a motor therefor, or in the second position the drivefor the carrier may be decoupled, for example electronically ormechanically, such that the motor can continue to rotate for drive ofthe cleaning device, without further driving the carrier. Inembodiments, the cleaning device can comprise a wiper going back andforth, for instance a wiper reciprocating over a lens surface, driven bya rotary movement of a motor. In embodiments, a motor may be providedfor drive of the carrier and the cleaning device, the motor beingprovided on two opposite sides thereof with a driving shaft, with whichthe carrier and the cleaning device, respectively, are driven.

In advantageous embodiments, a device according to this disclosure maybe provided with a housing having a passage opening which during usefaces outside the vehicle when the housing is included in a body part ofthe vehicle. A carrier of the device, for instance as described above orelucidated hereinafter, can move with at least an optical elementthrough the opening, in order to move the optical element from a firstposition to a second position or vice versa. The device may furthermorebe provided with at least one lid which can close off at least a portionof the opening when the carrier with the optical element has beenbrought into the second position such that the carrier extends throughthe opening. Preferably, the or each lid in the second position links upwith the carrier and/or a camera house carried thereon and/or wholly orpartly formed thereby, so that the part of the opening left clear by thecarrier and/or the camera house is at least largely and preferablysubstantially wholly closed off. Preferably, the or each lid is then sopositioned that the outer side(s) thereof is or are approximately in theplane of the surrounding housing and/or a surrounding body part. Inadvantageous embodiments, the or each lid is included within the housingwith the carrier in the first position, while a shaped part of thecarrier and/or a camera house carried thereon or at least partly formedthereby and/or a plate part carried thereby, closes off the opening, andpreferably an outer side of the shaped part or plate part is or areapproximately in the plane of the surrounding housing and/or asurrounding body part, or at least link(s) up therewith relativelysmoothly. The lid can function as cover plate. The lid may be underspring action, with a bias toward the closed position, or may be movedby, for example, a motor, bimetal or memory shape metal or other knownmeans.

The above aspects of the invention and disclosure can be appliedindividually and in combination in devices according to the invention.Examples thereof will be further described hereinafter with reference tothe drawings.

It will be clear that an image recording device 12 according to theinvention may be coupled in a known manner to at least an image displaydevice such as a viewing screen 15 which can be arranged at a suitableposition in or on the vehicle 1. For example, such a screen may beprovided in or on a dashboard or on an inner side of a door 9B of thevehicle, or, for example, a heads up display device may be used. Acontrol unit 86 may be provided for controlling the optical deviceand/or the display device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematically and in perspective view α part of abody part Q having included therein an image recording device 12. InFIG. 2A the latter is shown in a first, stored position. In FIG. 2B itis shown in a second position, in which, in this embodiment, a carrier16 with an optical element 17 has been brought at least partly outsidethe outer surface 18 of the respective body part Q, so that images ofareas outside the vehicle can be recorded and processed. In FIG. 2A anouter side 21 of a housing 19 of the device 12 is shown, included in arecess 20 in the respective body part Q. As will be shown in moredetail, in the housing 19 a carrier 16 is included, as well as at leastdrive means for the carrier 16. The housing 19 may be manufactured, forexample, from metal and/or plastic and may, on the outer side 21 shownin FIG. 2, be provided with a finish matching the body part Q. The outerside 21 shown is preferably approximately in the plane 18 of the bodypart Q. In the embodiment shown, the outer side 21 is approximatelystraight, but it may also be curved in one or more directions or beotherwise shaped in order to conform to the shape of the body part Q. Inthe outer side 21 a passage opening 22 is provided, closed off in thefirst position by a part 23 of a camera house 24 and/or the carrier 16and/or a plate part carried thereon that forms said part 23 at leastpartly. In embodiments, the carrier 16 may be part of, or wholly define,a camera house 24. When movement of the carrier 16 is mentioned, thismay therefore, where applicable, also mean movement of the camera house24, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Visible, schematically, is a hinge 25 which defines a substantiallyvertical hinge axis 26, around which the carrier 16 can pivot between atleast the first and the second position. In FIG. 2B the carrier 16 withthe camera house 24 has been pivoted into the second position, in whichan optical element 17 has been brought outside the body, up to adistance X from the outer surface 18. The distance X has been determinedalong the normal to the outer surface 18, or the outer side of thehousing 19, that crosses the optical axis of the optical element,between the outer side 18 and the optical axis. This distance X can bechosen depending on the vehicle, and is, for example, between 20 and 200mm, more particularly between 40 and 120 mm, for example, between 50 and100 mm. The apex 30 is at a distance Y from the hinge line 26, measuredperpendicular to the distance X, as shown in FIG. 1A. The distance Y ispreferably in the order of magnitude of the distance X, for example,approximately equal thereto or smaller than the distance X. By choosingthe distance Y to be relatively small, in particular smaller than thedistance X, a compact construction will be obtained and an interplay offorces advantageous for fold-over. This is because the apex 30 upon suchfold-over will move out less than when the distance Y is chosen to begreater. In advantageous embodiments, for example, the distance Y can bebetween 1.5 and 0.2 times the length X, for example between 1.2 and 0.2times. In embodiments, the distance Y can be between 0.3 and 1 times thelength X.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, 8 and 9, the distance Y, from thenormal, is directed forwards, that is, in the direction of the frontside 3 of the vehicle 1, while in FIG. 10 the distance is directedtowards the rear side 4 of the vehicle 1.

In preferred embodiments, the distance X is chosen such that thehorizontal vision angle β on the side proximal to the vehicle is boundedby a line approximately parallel to the centerline V of the vehicle, orat least is adjustable to that effect, so that optimum vision rearwardsis obtained. In embodiments, the vision angle may be such that also aportion of an outer surface 18 of the vehicle 1 rearwardly of orforwardly of the device 12 can be seen, so that this portion, forinstance, can serve as a reference for a driver or, for example, for thecontrol unit 86.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 8, the wall 28 between the apex 30 and thelens opening 29 can have a wall part 28A that is to some extent at anangle 4 with respect to the further wall 28, in particular such that thewall part 28A, from the wall 28, deviates outwards in the direction ofthe hinge line. As a result, the apex 30, measured along the distance Y,lies closer to the hinge line 26 than the lens opening 29, at least,than the transition between the wall 28 and the wall part 28A. As aconsequence, a force that is exerted on the housing in the secondposition by a ball—such as, for example, used in mirror tests, forexample as according to a norm according to Directive 70/156/EEC aseffective on the date of filing of this application—with which, forexample, a collision with a human head or other body part can besimulated, can be taken up better. The ball which in such a test swingsapproximately parallel to the surface 18 of the body part Q, will beable to push away the carrier 16 more easily without the ball beingpushed away outwards unallowably. Moreover, there's less chance ofinjury of a human or animal coming into contact with the housing.Incidentally, instead of a substantially planar wall part 28A, also abent wall part may be used between the lens opening 29 and the apex 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2A,B, the carrier 16 may be included in or integratedwith a camera house 24, and the camera house 24, the carrier 16 or thecombination thereof has a substantially closed outer surface 23, 27, atleast insofar as, in the second position, it extends outside the body,or outside the housing 19. On the side of the hinge 25 and at the topand bottom sides, the outer surface 23, 27 substantially adjoins edges28 of the passage opening 22, while in the first position the part 23adjoins them. On a side located opposite the part 23, the camera house24 and/or the carrier 16 also form a closed wall 28, in which a lensopening 29 is provided behind which at least one optical element 14 isprovided. The wall 28, in the exemplary embodiment shown, connects thetop and bottom of the camera house 24 and extends from an apex 30 atleast up to and preferably slightly beyond the passage opening 22. Theapex 30 should herein be understood as the edge of the camera house 24that in the second position extends farthest from the outer surface ofthe body part 18, measured along the line along which the distance X ismeasured or a line parallel thereto. The camera house 24 is preferablysubstantially closed, in particular preferably substantially water- anddust-tight.

The camera house 24 and/or the carrier 16 may be shaped such that in thesecond position the wall 28 links up with the longitudinal edge 31remote from the hinge. This, however, can have the consequence that thewall 28 will include a relatively large angle with the outer surface 18of the body part Q and that the optical axis of the optical element 14will include a relatively great angle with the wall 28. This can meanthat the vision angles are limited and/or a relatively large lensopening 29 needs to be provided. Moreover, this can lead to a relativelylarge housing 19. The wall 28 can be bent such that, at the location ofthe lens opening 29, it extends approximately perpendicular to the bodypart Q and nonetheless links up with the edge 31. With this, thefirst-mentioned drawback is largely remedied but the second drawbackremains. In the embodiment shown, the wall 28 is approximately straight,at least the part between the passage opening 22 up to a point beyondthe lens opening 29. Between the wall 28 and the edge 31 of the passageopening 22 remote from the hinge 25, in the second position, a part ofthe passage opening 22 is not closed off by the carrier 16 and/or thecamera house 24. In order to prevent ingress of water and/or dirt orother matter into the housing 19, in this embodiment a lid 32 isprovided which in the second position closes off the relevant part ofthe passage opening, in a closing position. The lid 32 adjoins thecamera house 24 and/or the carrier 16 and the edge of the passageopening 22. The lid 32 can be, for example, hingedly mounted to thehousing 19 and/or to the camera house 24, or the carrier 16, such thatin the first position the lid is swung away in the housing and in thesecond position is brought into the closing position, for example by aspring 34 (FIG. 4A) or by the movement of the camera house and/or thecarrier, or by a separate drive. The lid 32 may be integrated with thecamera house 24 and/or the carrier 16. Clearly, instead of a single lid,a series of lids or lid parts may be provided which can jointly closeoff a residual part of the passage opening. In such implementations, theinner space of the housing is protected from soiling, both in the firstand in the second position.

As appears from FIG. 2A, in the first position, substantially the wholedevice 12 is included in the body part, so that the outer side 18thereof continues substantially wholly smoothly. Clearly, the outer sideof the housing and/or the camera house 24, at least part 23 thereof, maybe designed differently, for instance for the purpose of creating arelief. Part 23 may be wholly closed. In it, however, also a window 33may be provided, as schematically represented in FIG. 2C. The window 33may be formed by an optical element 14, or such an element may beprovided behind it, so that recordings can be made through the window 33with the aid of an optical sensor, in particular also in the firstposition. This optical sensor can be the same sensor 13 as thatdescribed earlier, or a separate sensor 13A (not shown). Also, a cameraor an optical element 14 may be movable within the housing 19, so thatrecordings are made either through the lens opening 29 or through thewindow 33. This arrangement can also be implemented such that recordingscan be made at the same time through the window 33 and through the lensopening 29, for instance to be able to make recordings forward andrearward. Incidentally, in a similar manner, provision can be made forthe possibility of making recordings upward and/or downward, forinstance to detect road markings, traffic signs, traffic lights, fellowroad users and the like with the aid of image recognition techniques andsoftware known per se.

FIGS. 3A and B show, in partly cutaway condition, a device 12 accordingto the invention. In particular, a part of the housing 19 has been cutaway, so that the interior work is visible. In FIG. 3A the firstposition is shown, in FIG. 3B the second position. The housing 19 inthis embodiment comprises two shell parts 19A and 19B, of which thesecond part 19B is not shown but is essentially the mirror image of thefirst part 19A shown. The housing 19 defines a hollow inner space 36.Clearly visible is the passage opening 22 with the lid 32, which in FIG.3A is swung away against the first part 19A and in FIG. 3B is swung upto close off the passage opening 22 with it.

FIGS. 3A and B show the carrier 16 in the first and second position. Thecarrier 16 in this embodiment is shown as an essentially slightly flat,partly hollow element in which an optical sensor 13 with a lens 14 isincluded. The carrier in this embodiment forms a camera house 24. Thelens 14 is disposed behind the lens opening 29, between the lens opening29 and the optical sensor 13. In embodiments, the material of thecarrier at the location of the optical sensor, at least, of the lensopening, is vision transmissive. In the embodiment represented, thematerial of the carrier at the location of the optical sensor isprovided with a hole which forms the lens opening. In it, a transparentsealing may be provided, such as a glass or plastic plate part. Thesensor 13 is connected to a control unit 86 via suitable connectingmeans (not shown) such as leads, or wirelessly. Furthermore, on thecarrier 16 an electric motor 37 is provided, which is connected, againvia suitable means such as a lead, to a voltage source and preferably tothe control unit 86. Upon movement of the carrier 16 between the firstand the second position, the motor 37 moves with the carrier 16.

Along a part of the carrier, a bent track 38 is provided, whichpreferably describes a circular segment, with the hinge axis 26 asvirtual center. Furthermore, in the housing 19, there is provided a setof teeth or rack 39, which in the embodiment shown is likewise bent,preferably likewise as a segment of a circle whose virtual center, atleast in the first and second position, substantially coincides with thehinge axis 26. The rack 39 is so disposed that it can be received in thetrack 38 when the carrier 16 is moved to the first position. In theembodiment shown, the track 38 at an end thereof is provided with a stop40, here implemented as an end wall, by which the first position isdefined. The rack 39 is provided on its inner side with a toothing 41and is connected by a first end 42 to the housing 19. Bearing-mounted onthe carrier 16 is a pinion 43, with a toothing 44 which can fittinglyengage in the toothing 41 of the rack. Via an intermediate gear 45 onthe carrier, the pinion 43 can be driven by the motor 37. In theembodiment shown, a pinion 49 on a first output shaft 37A of the motor37 engages the intermediate gear 45. Rotation of the pinion 43 willdrive the carrier as a result of the toothing 44 rolling along the rack39, so that the carrier 16 is moved between the first and the secondposition. Pinion is understood to also encompass a worm wheel or likegear transmission element. The carrier 16 may be suitably provided witha second stop which limits the movement of the carrier 16 relative tothe rack 39 up to the second position. To this end, for instance, therack 39 may be provided with a slot 46, for example on its outer sideremote from the toothing 41, into which can reach a stop mounted on thecarrier 16. The slot 46 may, as shown in FIG. 3, be closed at a secondend by a wall part 47, against which the stop of the carrier butts inthe second position. This hinders further movement of the carrier 16relative to the rack 39 in the second position. Alternatively oradditionally, a switch and/or sensor may be provided which registerswhen the second position and/or the first position is reached and thenswitches off the motor 37 and/or deactivates a coupling between themotor and the further drive for the movement of the carrier 16, forexample by deactivating an electromechanical coupling in that drive. Asa sensor, for example, a Hall sensor can be used. In FIG. 3 such asensor is schematically indicated by reference numeral 51.

Such a device 12 is structurally simple and can be simply mounted inand/or to a body part, for example using co-formed attachment points 48,screws, bolts, clamps, form closure, glue or the like. Such a devicemakes a fold-in position, the first position, and a fold-out position,the second position, possible in a simple manner.

In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 8A-C, the housing 19 of thedevice 12 is at least partly included in a cavity 80 formed by the outerside of a body part Q, such that the body part itself remainssubstantially closed. The device can for instance be secured in thecavity 80 with suitable fastening means, such as, for example, glue,screws, clamping or the like.

The drive for the carrier 16 is preferably of self-locking design. Thedrive can advantageously comprise at least a transmission element withevoloid toothing. For example, the pinion 43 engaging the rack 39 canhave evoloid toothing 44. By use of an evoloid toothing, a relativelyhigh transmission ratio can be provided in a relatively compact way. Anevoloid toothing is an adapted evolute toothing with a limited number ofteeth on the pinion, preferably fewer than four. An evolute and evoloidtoothing are known to those skilled in the art and are not furtherexplained here.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a device according to theinvention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can be implemented such that italso allows a fold-over position, as schematically shown in FIG. 4C. Tothat end, the rack 39, for instance at the first end 42, may in adecouplable manner be releasably connected to the housing 19, preferablysuch that when the carrier 16 has been brought in the second positionand a force is being exerted on the carrier 16 that initiates furtherrotation around the axis 26, this coupling between the rack 39 and thehousing is released. As a result, the rack 39 can move along with therotation of the carrier 16 around the axis 26. And so the carrier 16 canmove from the first position beyond the second position, preferablyuntil the part 23 has moved substantially against the outer wall of thehousing. Clearly, the rack 39 and the drive therefor may also beprovided such that in the fold-over position the drive is decoupled fromthe rack 39. For instance, the pinion 43 may, in that position, havemoved away from the rack 39, such that the carrier can freely move onfrom the second position and upon return to and beyond the secondposition is brought back into engagement again.

In the embodiment shown, the relevant end of the rack 39 is providedwith two wall parts 52, for instance extending approximately parallel toeach other, which are provided on the mutually facing sides with a clickedge 53. The wall parts 52 are slightly resilient, so that they can moveapart elastically. The housing 19 is provided with corresponding counterclick elements 54 which, with the rack 39 in the regular use position,that is, in the first and second position and therebetween, engage theclick edges 53 and retain the rack. If on the rack 39 a force is exertedby movement of the carrier 16 in the direction beyond the secondposition, then the click edges 53 are pulled loose from the counterclick elements 54 and the rack can move. Upon resetting of the carrier16, the click elements 54 and click edges 53 are coupled again. Clearly,many variants on this are possible. In embodiments, the rack may also beretained by, for example, friction, a mechanical or electromechanicalcoupling, or like means known to those skilled in the art.

In an advantageous embodiment, a resetting mechanism is provided to movethe carrier 16 from the fold-over position back to at least the secondposition, when the force mentioned has been reduced sufficiently orremoved. To that end, for example, a draw spring 50 may be providedbetween the rack 39 and the housing 19, which is extended when the rack39 is moved towards the fold-over position, so that an elastic resettingforce is obtained. The draw spring 50 here provides the advantage thatit can be relatively little progressive, so that the resetting force canbe sufficiently high and that the force for bringing the carrier 16 intothe fold-over position can be suitably chosen. Preferably, in normaluse, the spring 50 is situated for the most part in the slot 46.Alternatively, also a different resetting mechanism can be used, forexample, a straight draw spring, a compression spring, a leaf spring orthe like, combinations thereof, a separate drive may be provided forresetting, or resetting may be done by hand.

FIG. 4D schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a drive 55 forthe carrier 16, comprising a rack 39 and a series of gears as describedearlier. For simplification, the motor 37 is left out here. Clearlyvisible are the rack 39 with toothing 41 engaged by the pinion 43 withevoloid toothing 44. Further, the pinion 49 is shown, which is, or canbe, mounted on the shaft of the motor 37. The pinion 49 is provided withsuitable toothing 56. An intermediate gear 45 engages the toothing 56.The pinion 43 is connected via a coupling 57 to a set of teeth 58engaged by the intermediate gear 45. Thus, by rotation of the pinion 49,the rack 39 can be moved.

The coupling 57 can be a fixed coupling, for instance by implementingpinion 43 and set of teeth 58 in one piece. In advantageous embodiments,however, the coupling can be an active coupling 57, for example, a slipcoupling or a mechanical or electromechanical coupling. Active couplingshould herein be understood to mean a coupling that under certaincircumstances causes the pinion 43 to rotate with the same angular speedas the set of teeth 58 but under other circumstances makes rotation ofthe pinion 43 relative to the set of teeth 58 or vice versa possible. Byapplication of an active coupling, the motor 37 and hence the pinion 49can be driven while the rack 39 stands still. Clearly, in a similarmanner, such an active coupling 57 may be arranged at a differentposition within the drive 55, for example between the motor 37 and thepinion 49. With this, overloading of the motor is prevented.

As will be discussed hereinafter, an active coupling 57 as discussedabove, in embodiments, provides the advantage that the motor 37 can beused for driving other elements than the carrier 16, also when thecarrier, for instance in the first or the second position, stands still.Thus, for instance, a cleaning device 59 can be driven by the motor 37,as will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment as shownin FIGS. 5-7. To this end, the motor 37 can for instance, asschematically shown in FIG. 7, be provided with a second output shaft60. Also, for example, the optical sensor 13 or an optical element 14,such as a lens, prism, or the like, can be driven by the motor, forexample to rotate between a position where images can be recordedthrough the lens opening 29 and a position in which images can berecorded through the window 33.

In FIGS. 5A-C, in different views, schematically, a cleaning device 59is shown, with the drive 55 for the carrier 16. In FIG. 5A these areshown inside of the partly opened housing 19, in FIGS. 5B and C outsideof it. It will be clear that a cleaning device 59 as discussed here canalso be used with other devices, for example, camera systems that aredisposed stationarily or in other positions, and/or camera systems withan alternative carrier and/or that are driven in a different manner, forexample, known camera systems such as described in the introduction, inparticular also camera systems that are arranged on or near a rear sideof a vehicle.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 5B and C, an optical sensor 13 with alens or lens system 14 may be provided on the carrier, behind a lensopening 29. In the figures, the optical sensor 13 along with lens 14 areshown as an optical unit 61. Clearly, though, they may also be providedseparately, for example optically coupled by mirrors, lenses and/oroptical guides such as fibers. Preferably, both the sensor 13 and thelens or lenses 14 are carried on the carrier 16. In particular thesensor 13, though, may also be provided stationarily in the housing, oreven outside it, with a lens or lens system that is provided on thecarrier 16 being optically coupled by, for example, an optical fiber.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the optical unit 61 defines anoptical axis O which in this embodiment is approximately perpendicularto the output shaft 60 with which the cleaning device 59 can be driven.This position, however, can be chosen freely. A wiper element 62 isprovided which can move with a wiper strip 63 over a lens surface 64 ofthe lens 14. In the embodiments shown, the wiper element 62 is includedwithin the housing 19 and can reciprocate, in particular in atranslating movement V. However, provision may also be made for adifferent movement, for example a rotating movement or a pivotingmovement such as of windscreen wipers of cars. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, the wiper element 62 comprises a substantially planar,plate-shaped part 84 with an opening 65 which is preferably so largethat if the lens 14 is behind the opening, the lens surface lies atleast substantially free behind the opening 65 and vision through thelens 14 and through the opening 65 is substantially not influenced byedges of the opening 65. The wiper strip 63 in this embodiment isimplemented as a longitudinal edge of the opening 65 and may be providedwith a slightly flexible, cleaning surface such as, for example, arubber or elastomeric strip 66 on the side facing the lens 14, whichstrip is pressed against the lens 14 by the wiper element 62.

Provided between the output shaft 60 of the motor 37 and the wiperelement 62 is a second drive 67, with which the rotary movement of theshaft 60 is converted into a desired movement, in particular atranslating movement V of the wiper element 62 with the strip 66,whereby the lens surface 64 is cleaned. To that end, in the exemplaryembodiment, the second drive 67 comprises a shaft 68, bearing-mounted inthe carrier 16, having toothings 69, 70 at two opposite ends.Furthermore, a disc 71 is provided which is placed on a side of thewiper element 62 facing the interior of the housing. The disc can rotateabout an axis 72 which is preferably approximately perpendicular to theplane of the wiper element 62. The disc 71 is provided with a gear 73 ona side remote from the wiper element 62. The first toothing 69 of theshaft 68 engages the toothing 73 on the output shaft 60 of the motor 37and the second toothing 70 of the shaft 68 engages the gear 73 of thedisc 71. Rotation of the output shaft 60 will therefore drive the disc71 around the axis 72. On its side facing the wiper element 62, the disc71 is provided near its circumference with a pin 74, as shown in FIG.6C. The wiper element 62, on its side facing the disc 71, is providedwith a slot 75 extending, for instance, approximately parallel to thestrip 63. The pin 74 reaches into the slot 75, such that a rotation ofthe disc 71 around the axis 72 will cause the pin 74 to move through theslot 75, back and forth between two opposite ends 75A, B thereof, as aresult of which the wiper element 62 will make the above-describedback-and-forth movement V, along the lens surface 64. To that end, thewiper element 62 is preferably guided through a matching guide in thehousing 19. The pin 74 is preferably positioned on the disc such that arotation of the disc 71 through an angle of 180 degrees can move thestrip 63 from a first side of the perimeter of the lens 14 to anopposite second side of the perimeter of the lens 14, so that the entiresurface of the lens 14 is cleaned, in particular cleaned twice with eachfull rotation of the disc 71.

As described, the motor 37 can continue to drive the output shaft 60 orshafts 37A, 60, also when the carrier 16 is in the second position. So,with the same motor 37, the cleaning device 59 can be driven also in thesecond position. In advantageous embodiments, for the cleaning device,at least one position sensor 76 is provided, with which, when the motoris switched off or the drive is interrupted otherwise, the wiper element62 is halted such that the strip 63 is preferably at least substantiallynot in front of the lens 14 anymore. To this end, for example, a Hallsensor may be provided. Thus, for instance in the exemplary embodimentshown, it can be ensured that the disc 71 stops only when the pin 74 isapproximately in the middle of the slot.

In exemplary embodiments, near the lens surface 64 or, at least, nearthe wiper element 62, a blow nozzle 77 of a blowing device 78 may beprovided. The blowing device 78 can blow, for example, air or fluidagainst the wiper strip 63 and/or the lens surface 64.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the drive of the carrier 16 isindirect, by the motor 37. This is to say that between them, at leastone gear or like transmission is provided. It is also possible, however,to drive the carrier in a different manner, for example, with a motordirectly on the hinge or hinge axis 26, or by use of, for example, apneumatic, hydraulic and/or electromagnetic drive. Also, for the carrier16 and a cleaning device 59, separate drives and in particular powersources may be used, such as, for example, two motors.

A device 12 such as, for example, according to any one of FIGS. 2-7,can, in embodiments as shown or similar to that according to FIG. 8, bemounted on an outer side of an outer surface 18 of the body part Q, forexample in the cavity 80 defined by that surface.

In FIG. 9, an embodiment is shown of an image recording device 12, forexample similar to one according to any one of the preceding figures,where a cleaning device is arranged for the most part on the outer sideof the housing 19. The lens opening 29 in this embodiment is providedwith a transparent sealing 81. Thus, in embodiments, the housing can bemade of wholly dust- and water-tight design. The cleaning device 59 inthis embodiment is provided with a wiper element 62 with wiper strip 63for cleaning the sealing 81. To this end, the cleaning device, inembodiments, can be substantially the same as that as shown in, forexample, FIGS. 5 and 6, where the shaft 60 extends through a wall 28 ofthe housing 19, preferably sealed in a suitable manner, and the disc 71is mounted against the outer side of the wall 28, or the disc 71 isrotatably bearing-mounted in an opening in the wall 28, so that thewiper element 62 can be moved back and forth. It will be clear, however,that a different cleaning device may be applied as well, for example, awiper such as a windscreen wiper of a car. In such embodiments, in thefirst position, the storage position, the cleaning device is protectedin that it is at least substantially wholly included in the body, or atleast between the housing and the body part Q.

FIG. 10 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a device 12according to the invention, which in structure is substantially the sameas the exemplary embodiments described earlier, but where the pivot axis26 is positioned differently, viz., on the other side of the carrierthan in the embodiments described earlier. In this embodiment, the wall28 is provided in a manner adjoining the pivot axis 26, so that the lensopening 29 and the pivot axis 26 are provided on the same side, as isvisible in FIG. 10A, in which the second position is shown. From thesecond position, the carrier 16 can be pivoted to the first position, asshown in FIG. 10B, in the direction W_(in). Also, the device 12 can bepressed in the same direction into a fold-over position, or in theopposite direction W_(over) in a fold-over, as shown in FIG. 10C. Inthis embodiment, again a lid 32 may be provided for closure of theopening through which the device can move. In this embodiment, in thefirst position the lens opening 29 is on the side facing outside. As aresult, with the same optical sensor 13, recordings can be made also inthe first position, for example for the purpose of image recognition ofpeople or objects approaching the vehicle 1.

In an advantageous further implementation, the device may be controlledvia the control unit 86. Thus, for instance, a circuit may be providedthat brings the device in the second position as soon as a door of thevehicle is unlocked or when an operating button on a remote control orFOB associated with the vehicle is operated. Similarly, a circuit may beprovided which brings the device back into the first position when thedoors of the vehicle are locked or when an alarm device is set intooperation, or when the above-mentioned operating button of the remotecontrol is operated. When an embodiment is used that allows images to berecorded also when the device has been brought into the first position,for example through the window 33, the device may also be switched onwhen an image is recognized by software in or of the control unit 86.Thus, it may for instance be determined on the basis of patternrecognition whether the device must be energized, and it may beestablished on the basis of image recognition whether, for instance, thevehicle must be unlocked. In the embodiments shown, the device isprovided with a substantially closed housing.

The invention is not limited in any way to the examples given in thedrawing and description. Many variations thereon are possible within theframework of the invention as defined by the claims, including at leastcombinations of parts of the embodiments shown. In embodiments, themotor with the drive may be so configured that the drive pushes off froma body part Q and thereby pushes out the carrier 16. Further, forexample, the orientation of the pivoting direction may be chosendifferently, for example such that the lens opening in the secondposition is directed forward or down. Also, the drive can be used foradjusting, for example, the optical means, for instance such that in thefirst position images can be registered through the window and in thesecond position through the lens opening.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An image recording device for a motorvehicle comprising: a fixed part for at least partial inclusion to abody of the motor vehicle; a movable part including at least one opticalelement, each optical element comprising at least one optical sensor ora lens unit; a driving part including a first drive comprising a motor;an adjustment device, including at least the driving part and a powersource, for adjusting the movable part between a first position and asecond position, wherein during use in the first position the movablepart is wholly or partly included in the body, and in the secondposition the movable part extends at an angle with respect to the body,such that at least the optical element carried by the movable partextends at least partly outside the body, and the movable part pivotsfrom the second position about an axis to the first position and viceversa, the driving part is releasably connected with the fixed part,such that in a released condition it can move along with the movingpart, the movable part is movable between the first position and thesecond position with the aid of the power source and the first drive,and the first position defines a fold-in position, the second positiondefines a fold-out position and a third position defines a fold-overposition, wherein the movable part, viewed from the first position, ismovable beyond the second position to the third position by an externalforce exerted on the movable part.
 2. The image recording deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the device is provided with a housingwhich is part of the fixed part and a carrier which is part of themovable part, and the carrier pivots between the first position and thesecond position around an axis which is located in or close to an outersurface of the body.
 3. The image recording device according to claim 2further comprising a passage opening and a lid, wherein the passageopening is between the housing and the outside air, and the lid closesoff a part of the passage opening when the movable part is in at leastthe second position.
 4. The image recording device according to claim 3,wherein the lid allows the movable part to pass when the movable part isin between the first position and the second position.
 5. The imagerecording device according to claim 3, wherein the lid is under springaction, biased in a position closing off the passage opening.
 6. Theimage recording device according to claim 4, wherein the lid is drivenby a rotation power source, a bimetal or an MSM element.
 7. The imagerecording device according to claim 1, wherein the driving part is underspring action, such that it is biased in a coupled position, wherein thecoupled position is any position in which the motor may actively drivethe movable part including the first position, the second position andpositions in between.
 8. The image recording device according to claim1, wherein the first drive further comprises at least a transmissionelement between the movable part and the motor.
 9. The image recordingdevice according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the transmissionelements is implemented as a releasable or slipping coupling.
 10. Theimage recording device according to claim 1, wherein at least the motoris carried by the movable part.
 11. The image recording device accordingto claim 2 further comprising a cleaning device for cleaning a surface,wherein the surface to be cleaned includes the at least one opticalelement, a lens surface, or a window for a lens formed in the housing.12. The image recording device according to claim 11, wherein thecleaning device comprises a translating or rotating wiping device. 13.The image recording device according to claim 11, wherein the cleaningdevice is driven by the power source and a second drive comprising themotor.
 14. The image recording device according to claim 13, wherein thesecond drive further comprises at least a transmission element betweenthe motor and the cleaning device.
 15. The image recording deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the cleaning device further comprises aposition sensor for stopping a movement of the translating or rotatingwiping device near or outside an outer edge of the surface to becleaned.
 16. The image recording device according to claim 11, whereinthe cleaning device further comprises a blowing device, including atleast an air nozzle or a liquid nozzle.
 17. The image recording deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the cleaning device can be energized inat least one of the first position and the second position of themovable part.
 18. The image recording device according to claim 1,wherein the adjustment device, the lid, and the cleaning device aredrivable by a same linear or rotary power source, bimetal or MSMelement.
 19. The image recording device according to claim 1, whereinupon movement of the movable part between the second position and thethird position, at least the first drive moves with the movable part.20. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the movablepart further comprises a window through which image recordings can bemade with the aid of the optical element when the movable part is in atleast the first position.
 21. A vehicle comprising the image recordingdevice according to claim
 1. 22. The vehicle according to claim 21,wherein the image recording device is included in a body part of alateral side of the vehicle, including at least one of a door, a fender,at least a post, or a roof of the vehicle.
 23. The vehicle according toclaim 21 wherein the image recording device comprises an optical axiswhich in the second position of the movable part is directedsubstantially rearwards, approximately parallel to a surface on whichthe vehicle is set up.
 24. The vehicle according to claim 23, furthercomprising a control unit for control of the image recording device,wherein at least the image recording device can be moved between thefirst position and the second position.
 25. The vehicle according toclaim 24, wherein the control unit helps to set at least one of theoptical axis, an angle of view, or an angle of vision of the opticalelement.
 26. The vehicle according to claim 23, wherein a first distancebetween an outer surface of the body part where the image recordingdevice is mounted and the optical axis, measured along a normal to thesurface of the body part that extends through the lens opening and theoptical axis, is approximately equal to or greater than a seconddistance between a hinge axis around which the carrier moves betweenpositions and an end of the normal which intersects the outer surface ofthe body part.
 27. The image recording device according to claim 1,wherein the moving part pivots about the axis, and the axis issubstantially vertical.